Cellular telephone case

1. A cellular telephone case comprising: a protective case and a lanyard mechanism; a cellular telephone case is configured for use with a personal data device; wherein the cellular telephone case forms a protective structure that contains the personal data device; wherein the lanyard mechanism is contained within the protective case; wherein the lanyard mechanism allows the protective case to be attached to an object; wherein the personal data device inserts into the protective case, wherein the protective case is a rigid structure; wherein the protective case forms the protective structure that contains the personal data device; wherein the lanyard mechanism is formed into the protective case; wherein the lanyard well is located in the solid end of the shell that is distal from the open end of the shell; wherein the lanyard well is sized to receive and store the lanyard mechanism within the walls of the shell; wherein the lanyard mechanism is a mechanical structure; wherein the lanyard mechanism is a fastening device; wherein the lanyard mechanism attaches to the protective case; wherein the lanyard mechanism is stored within the protective case such that the lanyard mechanism is contained within the protective case for storage; wherein the lanyard mechanism allows for the suspension of the protective case and the personal data device.

2. The cellular telephone case according to claim 1 wherein the protective case comprises a shell; wherein the shell is a hollow prism-shaped structure; wherein the shell has a disk shape; wherein the shell is a rigid structure; wherein the shell has an open end.

3. The cellular telephone case according to claim 2 wherein the shell is geometrically similar to the personal data device such that the shell fits around the personal data device; wherein the shell forms a protective boundary around the personal data device such that the shell protects the personal data device from impact damage.

4. The cellular telephone case according to claim 3 wherein the lanyard mechanism comprises a cord, a disk, a spool, a mainspring, a ratchet, a release mechanism, a lid, a shaft structure, and a compression spring; wherein the cord, the disk, the spool, the mainspring, the ratchet, the release mechanism, the lid, the shaft structure, and the compression spring are mechanically interconnected.

5. The cellular telephone case according to claim 4 wherein the shell further comprises a lanyard well and a plurality of cord ports; wherein the lanyard well is a cavity formed in the shell; wherein each of the plurality of cord ports is an aperture formed from the interior space of the shell to the exterior of the shell.

6. The cellular telephone case according to claim 5 wherein the cord is a flexible structure formed to have a tensile strength but no compressive strength; wherein the cord forms the structure from which the protective case suspends; wherein the cord forms a loop.

7. The cellular telephone case according to claim 6 wherein the disk is a container; wherein the disk is a rigid structure; wherein the disk contains the cord, the disk, the mainspring and a portion of the ratchet; wherein the disk is a disk-shaped structure; wherein a first end of the disk structure of the disk comprises an open face.

8. The cellular telephone case according to claim 7 wherein the lid is a disk-shaped structure; wherein the lid is geometrically similar to the disk; wherein the lid encloses the open face of the disk.

9. The cellular telephone case according to claim 8 wherein the cord winds on the spool; wherein the cord is stored on the spool; wherein the cord withdraws from the spool; wherein the cord retracts into the spool; wherein the cord threads through the plurality of cord ports.

10. The cellular telephone case according to claim 9 wherein the spool is a disk-shaped structure; wherein the cord winds on the lateral face of the disk structure of the spool for storage; wherein the spool is geometrically similar to the disk such that the spool rotates within the disk.

11. The cellular telephone case according to claim 10 wherein the mainspring is a torsion spring; wherein the mainspring attaches to the spool such that the mainspring deforms when the cord extends from the protective case.

12. The cellular telephone case according to claim 11 wherein the ratchet is a mechanical structure; wherein the ratchet holds the mainspring in the deformed position.

13. The cellular telephone case according to claim 12 wherein the mainspring returns to its relaxed shape when the ratchet releases the mainspring; wherein the mainspring rotates the spool as the mainspring returns to its relaxed shape; wherein the mainspring retracts the cord back onto the spool.

14. The cellular telephone case according to claim 13 wherein the release mechanism is a mechanical interlock attached to the ratchet; wherein the release mechanism releases the ratchet such that the mainspring will return to its relaxed shape.

15. The cellular telephone case according to claim 14 wherein the release mechanism comprises the shaft structure and the compression spring; wherein the shaft structure is an extension apparatus; wherein the compression spring is an energy storage device formed within the release mechanism; wherein the shaft structure inserts into the ratchet such that the ratchet mechanically locks the mainspring in its deformed state; wherein the removal of the shaft structure from the ratchet allows the mainspring to return to its relaxed shape; wherein the compression spring assists the shaft structure as it exits the ratchet.

16. The cellular telephone case according to claim 15 wherein the standing end of the cord permanently attaches to the disk; wherein the standing end of the cord remains stationary within the cellular telephone case; wherein the working end of the cord permanently attaches to the spool; wherein the working end of the cord rotates with the spool and the mainspring.

17. The cellular telephone case according to claim 16 wherein the protective case is formed from a polymer selected from the group consisting of a high-density polyethylene (CAS 9002-88-4) and an acrylic poly(methyl methacrylic) (CAS 9011-14-7).